§ 13. Mr. Albuasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, when he expects to receive a report from the Committee set up to advise on priorities in Government expenditure on scientific research.
§ Mr. H. NichollsI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Committee on the techniques of management and control of Government-financed scientific research and development. The work of the Committee has been somewhat delayed by the untimely death of the Chairman, Sir Claude Gibb. My noble Friend has appointed Sir Solly Zuckerman, a member of the Committee, to succeed him as Chairman, and has added Sir George Edwards to the Committee. As the hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate, the Committee's task is formidable and complex, and my noble Friend is not yet in a position to forecast when they may report.
§ Mr. AlbuIs the hon. Gentleman's noble Friend satisfied that the terms of reference of this Committee are broad enough, in view of the appalling problems which face this country in trying to keep up with the United States of America in some of the modern fields of scientific research, particularly aircraft development and research, nuclear research, space research, and so forth?
§ Mr. NichollsThe terms of reference are very wide indeed and cover all the Government's research, both civil and defence. It is because they are so wide that the Committee's report will of necessity take some time.